The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-07-07
| DEMOCRATIC JUBILEE.
IoosTIsuED FROM FIRST rAoI.l

made repeated appropriations and ex-
pended large sums in preparations TO
preserve ard protect the Mississippi
river.
"Public attention has been directed
to this important subject years before
the convention assembled at Chicago
In 1884, which nominated Mr.. Cleve-
land, and there had been much dis
cussion OF 1t In and out OF Congress;
and 1t IL not singu'a, that matter in
volviDg such vast interests should
have been considered and dealt with
in framing the national Democratic
platform. That platform was con-
Gtructed by committee consisting OF
one delegate from each State In the
Union, on which Mississippi was rep
resented by Dol. W. A. Percy, who
was unanimously selected for the duty
by the Mississippi delegation on
account OF his known ability and
sagacity, and because he came
from and was closely identified
with this very section here which
had the deepest interest In the
only local affair which that dele z ition
cared to see expressly recognized in
the National Democratic platform.
That platform after two days delibers-
ton was reported by the committee
and was adopted by the convention.
Some oil It's provisions gave rise to dis.
cussion in that body, but no voice
was heard, no single word was spoken
against the following clear and pointed
declaration:
The Federal Government should care for
and improve the Missisi ippi river aud other
great waterways Of the Republic so IS 10
secure for the interior states easy and cheap
transportation 10 the tidswater.
"The duty OF the general govern
ment AZ TO the water ways and notably
our great river is here explicitly set
forth, and the policy OF the Demo-
cratic party in respect 10 them Is ss
plainly and distinctly outlined as 1t Ia
In relation to the public lands, the
currency or the tariff.
"The general government should
care for and improve the Mississippi
river, etc, means no more nor lees
than that there 10 duty TO do 30 in.
cumbent on the government, one
which 1t owes to the people Of the Re-
public; and such a declaration, by a
national political convention, is delu.
sive and decsiiful unless II commits
the party 1t speaks for to the fulfill
ment Of that acknowledged duty
whenever the people at the polls
should give that party the power by
the election Of those who are the ex.
ponents Of its principles.
From the beginning 10 the end Of
that platform, on which Mr.. Cleve.
land was borne to,yictory by the PEG.
pie, you will fad no other ttream, no
other scheme, no other specific gov.
eminent project or purpose particular.
izsd by Lame except the Mississippi
river and Its Improvement. Not con-
tent with general expression, the
convention by naming this river did
that which was certainly calculated, II
not intended, 10 enlist the people in
all tho,e States, and there are neatly
q score OF them whose surplus waters
drain into II, aud especially. and most
directly those In that vast territory
which is dependent for its transports.
ton upon the Mississippi and It's l5,.
900 miles Of navigable tributaries, as
we'll 90 those who, like yourselves,
would derive incidental beniils as we'll
an transportation advantages from lle
improvement Of the river. II this was
not in fact the purpose OF the conven.
ton the effect undoubtedly was, when
the platform came 10 be approved by
the candidates Of our party, to secure
for our ticket the active support OF
some persons who felt more interest
in this than any other public matter,
and who would otherwise have been
at least ind itierent 10 It's success. All
such persons, and all others had, l
think, the light TO, and doubtless they
did accept the clause i have read as
sufficient assurance on the subject,
particularly after Mr.. Cleyelsnd's let
ter Of acceptance appeared, containing
the following passages:
/ have carefully considered the platform
adopted by the convention and cordially APP
Prove TIC same 50 plain a statement Of
which that party appeals TO the sudrages OF
the people, needs no supplement or explain
alton,
II should be remembered tina, the Ofies Of
turs. The laws enacted By the legislative
branch OF the government, tie Chief Execu.
tive Ia bound faithfully TO enforce. And
when the wisdom Of the political party
which selects one oft members as nomi;;
nee for that Office, has outlined tu policy and
declared its prilc lples, II seems 20 me that
nothing Ia the character the Office or the
necetsities 81 the case requires more frsm
he can iidAte accepting such nomination,
truths, 90 absolutely vital 20 the safe y and
welfare ofthe nation, that they cannot be too
often recalled or too seriously enforced"
"Mr. Cleveland then proceeds TO
enumeraie some OF the truths c)utid.
cred 40 vital % the general welfare and
safety, and uses the following Ian.
guase, In direct response, apparently
10 the clause in the platform which /
have quoted:
The commorcs % q natien, 10 q great
sxtent. determines Its supfemAcy. Cheap
and easy Transportation should therefors be
consultation, the general goVernme should
90 improve and protect u natural waterways
a. will an ab the producers OF the country
10 reach profitable market.
when this passage Ia compared
with that on the tame subject In the
platform, II will be seen that In sub.
stance and meaning, and even In the
phrase ology employed TO give the ies.
son Tor improving the water ways,
they are much the same.
1T Ia true Mr.. Cleveland uses the
words, "~ithin the limits Of the Con.
stitution," which do not appear Ia the
corresponding clause In the platform,
bat no thoughtful reader will question
for an instant that the same limitat on
isimplied, az OF course In the platform,
which Ia expressed In the letter OF &C
ceptsnce; IN fact such q limitation IL
generally implied when political prin.
ciples arc decla ed by party conven-
tons.
80 think the platform commits
the party, and Mr.. Cleveland approved
the platform not only generally bat
specially and specifically as TO this
prTticular matter; and M evidence
that he found no institutional obsti.
Gle In the way Of the improvement
aud protection Of the Mes ssippl river
by the government, he promptly APP.
proved the fret riveT and harbor bill
passed after his inauguration, contain.
ing appropriations for these purposes
I 2.